FRDM vs. SPEM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - FRDM tracks the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FRDM returned 17.22%/yr vs 6.70%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

FRDM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FRDM achieves a 28.12% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 9.89% return.

FRDM

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -4.87%
• 6M: 13.53%
• YTD: 28.12%
• 1Y: 65.50%
• 3Y*: 29.15%
• 5Y*: 17.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.90%

SPEM

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: 4.56%
• YTD: 9.89%
• 1Y: 22.14%
• 3Y*: 15.56%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: 8.53%
• ALL TIME*: 5.54%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	$22.77M	$21.45M	$25.02M
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	$90.49M	$105.53M	$120.92M

FRDM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	28.12%	61.27%	1.70%	22.77%	-14.45%	6.13%	16.90%	12.23%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	9.89%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	13.92%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDM and SPEM is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019	0.82

The correlation between FRDM and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

FRDM vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FRDM	SPEM
Financial Services	15.3%	19.9%
Technology	8.5%	32.7%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	8.9%
Basic Materials	3.4%	7.7%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.8%
Energy	1.7%	3.8%
Utilities	1.2%	2.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	3.7%
Industrials	0.3%	8.3%
Communication Services	0.3%	6.6%
Healthcare	0.1%	3.9%

Return for Risk

FRDM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 85
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 51
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FRDM vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FRDM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.23	+0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	1.74	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	1.91	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.29	6.31	+4.98

FRDM vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDM and SPEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FRDM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDM	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.49%	-64.41%	+23.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.24%	-11.36%	-7.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.24%	-17.62%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-30.03%	+0.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.15%	-4.14%	-10.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-14.66%	+7.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	3.43%	+2.34%

Volatility

FRDM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 12.28% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.72%. This indicates that FRDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRDM	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.28%	5.72%	+6.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.47%	15.43%	+13.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.66%	17.70%	+12.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	17.36%	+5.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.62%	18.80%	+4.82%

FRDM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, less than SPEM's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.69%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.55%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRDM and SPEM in my portfolio?

FRDM and SPEM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRDM or SPEM?

FRDM has higher volatility (12.28%) compared to SPEM (5.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, FRDM or SPEM?

On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 17.22% vs 6.70% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FRDM or SPEM?

Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 17.22% return vs 6.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FRDM or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FRDM or SPEM?

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 1.69% for FRDM.

What is the main difference between FRDM and SPEM?

FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging BMI Index. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.07% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.23), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.